As I write this tonight however, for some reason I don't feel ready still. Was it because I wanted to stay longer? It all happened so fast, and it was the most unique and challenging travel I've had to date. I didn't want to leave while finding myself anticipating being home at the same time. Is this conflict normal?
I suppose my stressful experiences influenced things a bit, but it was so much more. I'm so curious about the alternative lives of our European counterparts. I learned so much on this trip; I feel now more than ever a sense of what is important to me about my life. Yet I find myself filled with more questions than ever.
Of course, an international travel journey from an Americano seems complete only after mentioning how much I value my freedoms. Simply put, I love the United States of America. How much of this is my home-team bias and reality seams impossible to determine, but I don't mind my mental status quo. But what about what's missing from America today? Plenty.
The power corporations yield in America has been around so long, some of their marketing so entrenched in our day-to-day lives we don't seem to notice it's going on any longer. But I'm tired of it, and living in Europe for my small amount of time made that crystal clear. For the first two weeks home, I felt a sense of frustration I couldn't toss away; I simply concluded it was as any other might be, a result of too much travel, work and classwork too close together. Instead, could it have really been the unfortunate realization of a less than full-satisfaction of my lifestyle here?
Each time I've left the "Estados Unidos de America", I've noticed a few things that have stuck out in my mind each time. From Mexico to Quebec (not Canada-all, dare I say not British Canada), France to Spain, Italy and beyond, they are more in touch with nature then us. Everyone. I'm aware of how silly that statement is, it's too vague and general, a big fat cliche. It's true however, and there is no better way to describe it. From the daily runs to the fresh bakery and dairy to the fresh fruit and vegetable markets. Or the people that choose to eat in the park on a Tuesday, and then decide to invite the entire family. Or the group of friends that never misses a sunset in the hills. Since I began my travels to each of the mainland 48 states 5 years ago, I've yet to see anything close that compares in a U.S. city.
So, among other things, this begs the following questions: Is our development prohibiting us from experiencing these simple joys? Are we abandoning such fundamental things of life in our effort for further efficiency and modernization? I can't help but wonder if this is an extension of the "McDonaldization" that has occurred and has standardized what should not be. Maybe more importantly, is it now even possible to reverse any of it?
Maybe my answers are to be found in my future travels, I'll certainly be looking. In the meantime, I have plenty to reflect on already. Thanks for reading everyone, I may just keep using this blog for future travel logs. Stay tuned if you're interested.
